So, firstly, let me say "thank you" from the bottom of my heart to the one and only, Vanessa Valencia, for hosting such a spectacular give-away on her blog. Can you believe that she actually hosted a special give-away for 2 sets of my art prints? Isn't she super magnificent? I think she is!

I woke up today with a hankering to blog...but really, I don't have anything particularly groovy to blog about ~ just my thoughts and my Everydays. So...today will simply be a hodgepodge blog. Is that okay with you?

I took a little stroll around my vegetable garden this morning & visited with the pepper babies ~

...and the green tomatoes ~

that will soon be fried ~

Last month, my daughter and I went to the ALA (American Library Association) convention in Anaheim. My daughter is the teen correspondent for a podcast group that interviews authors. Mostly authors that write young adult (YA) fiction. Because of her job, we get to go to all these great author events. Isn't that cool? Anyway...one of my favorite authors, Laini Taylor, was there signing her book, "Daughter of Smoke and Bone", and I was over the moon to meet her again and have my photo taken with her ~

I actually toned this photo down because our pink and blue hair together was neon! Have you read "Daughter of Smoke and Bone"? If not, you should definitely put it on your "to-do" list!

I don't think I've mentioned my trip to the Arboretum, have I? I visited the Arboretum a couple of months ago. I had not been there since 1st grade, which is really quite ridiculous considering I'm a gardener and stuff.

I saw this rose and fell madly in love with it ~

So many pretty, colorful lovely things growing at the Arboretum ~

The highlight of my visit was this....the backside of a peacock ~

I was looking through some of my photos this morning and came across the folder of my hand-stitched "gnarly-dolls". Wow...it really put me in the mood to start sewing again. I haven't made a doll in almost 2 years.

Here are a few photos for those of you who may not have seen my dolls. Maybe you didn't even know I made them?

There are so, so many more dolls, but these are my favorites! They are all long ago sold, so I think it's high time to start a new doll!

Earlier today, when I went to visit my vegetable garden, this guy insisted on coming along with me ~

Ohhh...I just got an email from one of my newer customers and she asked me to name one thing that has influenced me as an artist. Well...I've been asked that question before and I always have the same answer...."Houses of the Holy" ~

I have been drawn to this album cover forever. The sky....the use of the children over and over. I don't know, there's just something so odd-worldly about it. Do you see what I mean?

I'm always so happy to sell an original piece of my art...but, at the same time, it's sad to pack them up and send them off to a new home. I hate good-byes. I sold 2 originals recently ~

I don't always buy this particular magazine, but this issue is special. This issue has a story written by my friend and crazy-popular blogger Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist.

Sharing Dreams. Vanessa truly does share her dreams ~

She shares her hopes, her garden, her home ~

Even her better half "Mr. Lovee" gets in on the action sometimes ~

Ohhhh my goodness...and her blog has the most gorgeous photos ever. Miss. Vanessa really knows how to handle her camera ~

Aside from all of this, Vanessa is just an all around sweet, generous and kind gal. I've been reading her blog for years and we've become friends through that time.

Vanessa has kindly offered to host a "give-away" on her blog for 2 sets of my art prints!! Can you even believe that? I'm still pinching myself! All you have to do is go on over and leave a comment on her blog and you will automatically be entered into the drawing. There will be 2 winners...each receiving a different set of 2 prints.

But really...just go on over and get to know Vanessa. I know that my readers don't really need to enter a give-away, but if you aren't already a fan of Vanessa's...then you are really missing out on a spectacular and beautiful blog! You know what? You can simply click right HERE to go directly over to the give-away and to Vanessa's fabulous, colorful, heartful world!

Fiona was so over the moon excited to see herself on Vanessa's blog, I just wanted to celebrate with her a bit!

Until Next Time:KimGerushia's New World

P.S. Please forgive my drab photos lately. When my computer died, I lost my editing program along with it. Until I'm up and running on a new machine, my photos leave a lot to be desired! But...I know you understand!

Friday, July 20, 2012

It is 12:15 p.m. and the backyard thermometer is well past the 90 degree mark. I do believe my day will be spent inside. Is it hot in your neck of the woods?

I figure, as long as I'm spending the day at home and out of the heat, I may as well tell you a story.

Way back in September of 2009 I blogged about my great aunt Gerushia. I talked a bit about who she was to me and about her life in the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas. That was almost 3 years ago and I think it's time to revisit her story.

Many folks ask me why my art business is called "Gerushia's New World". People are often curious about the pronunciation of the name as well.

Gerushia sounds like this ~ ja ROO sha. The usual way to spell this name is Jerusha. I have no idea why this particular spelling was used, but I adore it!

Okay, so here's the story of my great aunt Gerushia ~

Gerushia was my mom's aunt. She was born in 1909 ~

My mom often spoke about her to me when I was a little girl. My mom had a southern accent, and she referred to her as "Ain't Jarooshy". (I love that)!!

Gerushia married a kind gentleman named Loyd in 1926 at the young age of 17 ~

It wasn't long before Loyd and Gerushia had a baby girl...and then a baby boy. Together, they worked on their little farm in Pettigrew, Arkansas and raised their children. It was a hard life....working a farm in the Ozarks during the Great Depression. I've heard tell that Loyd used to say "The Depression passed right on by without us knowing it because we were poor already".

Soon after Gerushia's 24th birthday, she passed away. Diphtheria found it's way to the tiny town of Pettigrew, Arkansas, taking Gerushia's life and leaving Loyd behind with two small children. Their baby boy was only 7 months old at the time of Gerushia's death.

Throughout Gerushia's illness, the local "church ladies" took turns looking after her. They brought food for Loyd and his children and helped in any way they could.

It was tough...being a single dad to two small children and running a farm all at once. So, Loyd arranged for the children to stay with family while he grieved and worked and worked and grieved.

One of the "church ladies" that so kindly helped Gerushia during her sickness was a gal named Marvie ~ my aunt and my dad's oldest sister. Marvie was getting close to 25 years old. She had a big handful of nieces and nephews, but had no children of her own and had never been married. Then.....Loyd entered her life....

Marvie had always liked Gerushia. They sang in the church choir together and she surely felt bad for Loyd, and for those children being left behind without a mother.

Well, Loyd wasn't a very romantic guy but he wooed Marvie as best as he could, eventually asking Marvie to marry him. He said "I can't offer you much and I have these two children to look after, but if you're willing, I'd make you a good husband". Marvie said "yes".

They married and Marvie took those two children to her heart just like they were her own. Soon after, Loyd and Marvie had a baby girl.

Loyd, Marvie and their children moved away from Pettigrew, Arkansas....settling in Southwest Missouri.

Every year, Loyd and Marvie made the drive from Missouri to Pettigrew to clean Gerushia's grave and leave flowers. They made this trip every year until they were both too old to travel.

My mom told me the the "Story of Ain't Jarooshy" many, many times. Of course, I never knew Gerushia and my mom was only 6 years old when Gerushia passed away. However, I did know Marvie and Loyd...two of the kindest people ever. Now, both Marvie and Loyd are gone as well.

So....you see, Gerushia was my mom's aunt. But, in a round about way, she was connected to my dad's side of the family as well....through my dad's sister, Marvie.

When I decided to rename my art busines, something called me to Gerushia. She was connected to me on both sides of my family. She was a strong southern girl and she was in my heart and my bones through my mom's stories.

Her name is with me every day, through the memories my mom gave me and through "Gerushia's New World".

With all due respect, I honor this in my own way ~ "Miss. Lilly's Roadside Motor Hotel" ~

When I was a small girl, I was ever so frightened by death. No more fear. I have witnessed the end up close and personal ~

I have heard the last breath ~

There is beauty on the grounds of a resting place. (Peacefully He Sinks to Rest) ~

....and sad, heartful loss ~

Audrey ~

Angus ~

Baby ~

This place that some are fearful of. Some are saddened by. I find life here. Quiet thought, beauty,

The worlds I create in my art often walk me through cemeteries ~

"The Haunting of La Llorona" ~

"Lida's Swan Song" ~

"Guardian of Winter's Bride" ~

"The Burning of Eulalia" ~

I am always, always lost lost lost in the thought, the work, the dreams that envelope my world...pulled to compose and paint and cut and make.

Compose these little pieces, new worlds, respectful of death, the power of death. Respectful too, of the power of life.

Little jaunts, spur of the moment field trips with a friend. Quickly, throw on a sweat shirt and grab my glasses. No time for contact lenses on this day ~

Beginning. Middle. End. Long. Short. Happy. Sad. Life. Death. Love ~

Until Next Time:KimGerushia's New World

P.S. Just a fun little side-note. Since posting this, I've listed an original piece in my SHOP. This piece has been offered in print for a few months, but I've decided to list the original. I think it's time this "Little Red Riding Hood" inspired piece goes onward to a new home. Entitled "An Unexpected Visitor", this piece was published in issue 13 of "Pasticcio Quartz" artzine. Click HERE to go directly to the listing.

xoxo

Kim

P.P.S. How does a girl with so little to say manage to tweet over 7,000 times?